Injury blow for Aussies Sevens

SQUAD UPDATE: Australian Sevens forward Simon Kennewell has been ruled out of the Sydney7s following a heartbreaking knee injury at training.

Kennewell suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament at training and will undergo surgery ruling him out of the rest of the 2017/18 Sevens World Series.

Tom Connor will now come into the side and wear the number two jersey in what will be his World Series debut.

The 25-year old has played for Australia previously at invitational tournaments in Fiji and the Central Coast (NSW), while he was also part of the victorious Warringah side that claimed the 2017 Shute Shield.

Australian Sevens Head Coach Andy Friend said: "It's incredibly disappointing for Simon. He's been one of our most improved players in the last year and is now a player that the opposition fear and respect.

"It's a cruel blow for him personally but also us as a team with so much at stake for us over the next six months. Simon is a fighter though, and with the full support of the squad, we know he’ll come back bigger and better.

"This injury now provides an opportunity for Tom Connor. Tom has been knocking on the door for over five years now searching for an opportunity to represent his country on the World Series. He’s played for Australia previously at Oceania but now will get his chance to make his World Series debut here in Sydney.

"He's well-known campaigner who has proven himself in Sevens with Tribe7s as well as Club Rugby with Warringah. I have no doubt that he will relish the opportunity and will not let us down," Friend said.